Keel Bolts

[DaveBMusik]

With all of the posts about the "smile" I'm wondering how many have actually dropped the keel and what did you find as far as keel bolt corrosion?
I've had constant weeping from the rear port bolt during my first summer with the boat. When the boat was hauled there was a short 1/2 inch long spot of rust along the port keel joint.
I'm trying to decide if I should repair the 1/2 inch on the outside and 5200 the bolt and retorque as many have suggested to me. I've read quite a bit and understand the theory of oxygen depleted corrosion but, who has actually dropped your keel and what did you find?
Thanks, Dave

[KWKloeber]

Dave,

Yes I dropped the fin on my 30 when she was ~14 years young to fix the punky keel joint from the inside out, not the outside in. 
No noticeable corrosion (that would affect strength/competency.)

-kk

[Stu Jackson]

I continue to suggest that skippers peruse the "101 Topics" because, in addition to the wiki, I "stash" as much recurring question answers there.

Like this one:

Rebedding a Keel Stub 101  The Catalina Smile with Pictures

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6842.0.html

Doh!!!  It's ALSO in the wiki, here:  http://c34.org/wikiwp/?rdp_we_resource=http%3A%2F%2Fc34.org%2Fwiki%2Findex.php%3Ftitle%3DHull

And a SEARCH on Catalina Smile would find it, too.

I found this writeup to be among the most informative that I've seen in my 18 years of ownership.  Most earlier discussions in Mainsheet had very helpful writeups, but didn't have the pictures this one does.

Good luck.